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Pterygoplichthys anisitsi[1][2] also known as the Paraná sailfin catfish, southern sailfin catfish, is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae.[3] Its natural range is the middle Paraná and Uruguay River basins of south-central South America,[4] but it has been introduced to North America and South Asia, probably via the pet trade.[5][6] Like other loricariid catfishes, Pterygoplichthys anisitsi has a ventral mouth modified into a sucking disk and a body covered in bony plates.[4] The species typically has a dark and white spotted body pattern, although some individuals are very dark with few spots.[5] It reaches 55 cm (21.7 inches) in total length and can weigh up to at least 2.3 kg.[7]
| Pterygoplichthys anisitsi | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Loricariidae |
| Genus: | Pterygoplichthys |
| Species: | P. anisitsi |
| Binomial name | |
| Pterygoplichthys anisitsi C. H. Eigenmann & Kennedy, 1903 | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Pterygoplichthys anisitsi is capable of breathing both air and water. During nighttime or when the fish experiences a low-oxygen environment, it will swim to the surface to gulp in air.[8] When breathing air, the species uses its stomach for the diffusion of oxygen into the blood.[9]
The fish is named in honor of Juan Daniel Anisits (1856-1911), who collected the type specimen.[10]
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